BICKFORD, Sumner M. - 1890 Bio (1817-1894)

BICKFORD, SMITH

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/28/2007 at 15:04:41

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Page 305

S. M. BICKFORD, of Fairfield, deserves a place in the record of the pioneer settlers and prominent citizens of Jefferson County. He was born in Maine, June 3, 1817. His father, William BICKFORD, a native of the same State, went to sea when a boy and so faithfully did he discharge his duties that he was promoted step by step until he became commander of a vessel. During his seafaring life he made several trips to the East Indies. At the age of sixty-five he quit the dangerous life of a sailor and devoted himself to the less exciting, yet safer pursuit of farming, which he followed in Maine, where he spent his last days dying at the age of eighty-eight years. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth SMITH, was also born in the Pine Tree State, and died when our subject was less than a year old, leaving three children, of whom S. M. and a sister still survive. After the death of his first wife, William BICKFORD was again married and had a family of five children. Politically he was an old time Democrat and with all the patriotism of an American seaman, espoused the principles of "free trade and sailor's rights."

Left motherless at so early an age, the early training of our subject was entrusted to a stepmother who was not the least noted for sweetness of disposition or kindness to the children to whom she was to take the place of mother. Early in life he began to provide for his own wants and from a tender age has made his own way in the world. When a youth he served a three years' apprenticeship to the machinist's trade and on the completion of that term worked several years as a journeyman. In 1844 he went to the Island of Cuba as a mechanical engineer, remaining twelve months, and then spent one year in Illinois. In 1847 he first set foot upon Iowa soil, locating in Burlington where he made his headquarters about two years though he worked at different places in the State. He then came to Fairfield where he has since made his home although he spent one winter in Mississippi, and one in Wisconsin. He was an expert workman and his labors as a machinist have always been received with general satisfaction. Conscientious in the discharge of his duty he won the confidence of the public and soon secured a liberal patronage. He has entered several hundred acres of land in the western counties of Iowa which he still owns, and as real estate is gradually increasing in value it will in time make him a wealthy man. In his political affiliations Mr. BICKFORD was a Democrat until the war, since which time he has voted with the Republican party. He has never been an office seeker but when public trust was accorded him he discharged his duty honorably and acceptably. For some twelve or fifteen years he held the position of Township Trustee and his long service in one office is certainly a high testimonial of the general satisfaction with which his efforts were received. He has now made Jefferson County his home for more than forty years and has always been a respected and worthy citizen. He keeps himself well informed on all public issues, and is progressive and zealous in whatever tends to benefit the community.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.